The Secret Christmas Ciphers (9 page)

The footman held out a neatly folded sheet of paper. “A message from Lord Westdale for you, milady.”

As soon as she took the paper from his hand, the footman bowed and hurried away.

Two red blobs of wax sealed the overlap, as though the message was too sensitive to trust to a single seal. Frowning, she straightened in the chair and broke the seals, then unfolded the paper. “A cipher,” she murmured, instantly recognizing the method that had originally brought them back to Melton Castle. Had the French started using that method in earnest? But if Derek needed her to decipher it, why hadn’t he included a personal note with instructions about what to do with the cipher after she’d decoded it?

Laying her novel to one side, she hurried to the desk and placed the cipher in the center of its polished surface before turning and crossing the library to reach the section on agriculture where the cipher book was still shelved.

Her hands trembled when she pulled the fragile volume from the row where it had resided for years on end. Would she be able to convert the cipher without Derek’s help? But she would have to. Obviously he was depending on her.

Five minutes later she had settled herself behind the desk with ink, a sharpened quill, and several pieces of blank paper. Fortunately, she recalled a great deal of the process and was able to decode the first words with no trouble. It was then she realized the missive was not a French cipher but instead was a personal message to her.

My dearest Abigail,

I hope you will forgive this rather cowardly way of communicating with you. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that when I try to talk to you, my tongue appears to freeze and the words never make it past my lips.

What I want to tell you is that I never stopped loving you, but honor demanded that I offer for Melonnie. If I had not done so, I could never have been worthy of you. I cannot explain my reasons and will never be able to do so, but I’m pleading with you to believe that my actions had nothing to do with my feelings for you.

I have loved you for years, and I will love you until the day I die. I hope you will be able to take this on faith and that we can have a true marriage. If you cannot believe in me, I will understand but will always feel as though I have lost the only woman I can ever love.

Your devoted husband,

Derek

When she finished decoding the cipher, Abigail read it over, and then she read it again. She tried to imagine why Derek could have felt honor bound to marry Melonnie, but she simply couldn’t come up with a reason that made sense to her.

Still, he had asked her to take him on faith, to believe he had done the only thing honor allowed. Could she do it? But how could she not? It was almost Christmas, the season for miracles. If she had faith enough to believe in miracles, surely she could believe in the man she loved. In fact, she admitted to herself that she had believed in him all along. Only hurt pride and stubbornness had kept her from admitting it to herself and to him.

She needed to respond, to tell him how she felt as soon as possible. She jumped to her feet and hurried to the entrance hall. As luck would have it, James was still there, manning the door. She rushed over to him. “James, I need to reply to my husband’s letter. Is the messenger who brought it still here?”

James looked at her with widened eyes, then took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, milady. I thought you knew. Lord Westdale brought it himself. He said he’d be in your sitting room awaiting your response.”

“He’s here? My husband is here?” Abigail broke into a huge smile.

“Yes, milady.” James stepped out of his role long enough to return her smile. “He’s been here for the last half hour.”

Abigail turned and hurried down the corridors toward her sitting room. Her heart was pounding when she paused outside the door. She was thrilled that Derek was home, at least for tonight, and she planned to make the most of their time together.

She lifted the latch and cracked the door. Derek stood just inside, obviously waiting for her. His smile was strained, as though he feared her answer would not be what he hoped for. She returned his smile, imbuing hers with as much love and acceptance as she could manage.

His eyes widening, he stepped forward and opened the door fully. Then he reached to grasp her hand and pulled her toward him. When they stood face to face, he placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. Although a half smile pulled at his lips, the expression in his eyes was grave. “I hope I didn’t completely sink myself in your esteem by admitting that I’ve lacked the courage to beg you to have faith in me.”

“You shame me,” Abigail said softly. “You should never have had to beg. I loved you. I have always loved you, and I should have believed in you from the very beginning.”

The expression in his eyes lightened, and his smile widened. “You love me? After all I’ve put you through?”

“Absolutely. I have never stopped loving you. And I’m so thrilled you’re home. Can you stay until after Christmas? We’re celebrating with most of the neighbors, you know.”

“So James informed me. I’m glad, although I had hoped to have plenty of time for just the two of us, assuming you believed in me. But we’ll manage. If all goes well, I should be here for a week at least.”

“That’s wonderful news. And we’ll ensure that we have time for ourselves. In fact…” Abigail could feel her cheeks flaming as her words trailed off.

“In fact what, my love?”

“I’m rather hoping we might experience our own miracle and conceive a Christmas baby.”

Grinning hugely, Derek pulled her into his arms. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard in years. How about starting right now? We don’t have to join the family for an hour or so.”

Abigail returned his grin. “Or even three hours if we so choose. Now then, let me think.”

Derek’s grin faded. “Think? What is there to think about?”

“I’m supposed to suggest you kiss me. Or is that too forward of me?”

His smile returned. “As a matter of fact, I was thinking along the same lines. Let’s try it and then see if we’re both still of the same mind.”

She eagerly turned her face upward and a second later, their lips were touching, first gently, and after a few seconds, with as much passion as Abigail had ever hoped for. She had a sneaking suspicion that they would be late for dinner that evening.

Chapter Six

By the time Boxing Day morning rolled around, Abigail was exhausted but deliciously happy. She had discovered that her love for Derek grew with their continued intimacy, something she was enjoying more every night.

And their Christmas entertainment had been a resounding success. The neighbors had started arriving very early on Christmas Eve morning, and Derek had joined her at the entrance to the most formal drawing room to greet their friends and neighbors. His pleasure in renewing old acquaintances had been palpable. Somehow Abigail had failed to realize that in his years away from home, he’d lost contact with many of the people he’d known and liked when he was growing up at the castle.

Their guests, too, were obviously pleased to see Derek, and Abigail could judge from their demeanor that they were aware of the change in her and Derek’s relationship. An elevated eyebrow, a quick exchange of glances, and a knowing smile between friends had preceded even more enthusiastic Christmas greetings from their guests.

The earl had arrived at midday, just in time to join them for an excellent repast served in the largest of the castle’s dining rooms around the table that seated thirty people. The afternoon was filled with games, charades, and an occasional dash by the more youthful guests outside to frolic in the snow that had begun falling shortly after the earl’s arrival. That evening was devoted to enjoying the wassail bowl, lighting the Christmas candles, and telling tales of Christmases of the past.

The following morning after church, the guests began making hurried preparations to travel to their own homes while there was plenty of daylight. The earl joined Abigail and Derek in seeing everybody on their way. After the last guest had departed, he turned to Abigail. “I want to thank you, my dear, for your calming influence on my stepdaughters. Even the twins appear much better behaved these days.”

“Speaking of the sisters,” Derek interjected. “Where are they? I always worry if they’re not underfoot.”

Abigail gave him a playful swat. “Actually, they’re busy helping prepare the boxes for the poor. Tomorrow is Boxing Day, you know.”

“Ah, of course. Did you have sufficient funds to buy what you needed?”

“We did, yes. But Catherine and the twins have also been busy knitting caps and scarves and mittens to go in the boxes. They all seemed so pleased that we’re observing a traditional Christmas this year at Melton Castle that they’re enthusiastic about all of the preparations.”

“You know,” the earl observed, “I’m rather pleased about the celebrations this year myself. I believe I’ll accompany the girls on their deliveries tomorrow.”

Both Abigail and Derek paused to stare at him.

“Don’t look so shocked, Derek. When your mother was living, we always went out together to deliver boxes to the needy. It was one of her favorite things to do during the Christmas season.”

“Really? I didn’t know that about her.”

The earl had placed a hand on his shoulder. “You were young when she died. I wish you had known her better. But believe me, she’d be overjoyed that Abigail is bringing the old Christmas observations back to the castle.”

He turned to smile at Abigail. “And I’m extremely pleased that you are in charge here now, my dear. You’re doing a fine job. Now, if you two will excuse me, I’m going in search of the girls.”

“We’ll join you,” Abigail announced, ignoring Derek’s grimace. She suspected he would have preferred that they retire to their bedchamber, but she knew exactly how much more work would be required before all would be ready for the next day, and she was determined not to disappoint either the sisters or the needy who would welcome their gifts of clothing and food.

Breakfast on Boxing Day morning was a hurried affair, with everyone rushing to wolf down a pastry and a cup of coffee before bundling up to leave on their mission of mercy. The footmen had loaded a cart with the various offerings, and two coaches stood ready to transport the family members.

Everyone had gathered in the front entrance hall in preparation for leaving when the sound of a galloping horse sounded from the front of the house. Not waiting for a footman, the earl strode to the door and pulled it open. “Damn,” he murmured under his breath. “It’s a messenger from London.”

A few seconds later, the rider stepped into the entrance hall. He carried a bundle of papers. “Greetings, my lord. I was asked to bring these to you and Lord Westdale. I was told that you would know what to do with them.”

The earl sighed and took the bundle from the messenger before turning to a footman. “James, take this gentleman to the kitchen and make sure he has a warm breakfast. One of the grooms will see to his horse.”

He then turned to Derek. “It appears we have work to do, my son. I regret that we’ll have to miss out on this morning’s activities, but duty calls.”

Abigail had no difficulty reading the disappointment in the earl’s voice. She caught Derek’s eye. “I’ll be happy to help with your chore, my dear, and let your father go on with the girls to deliver the Boxing Day offerings.”

A smile pulled at the corners of Derek’s lips. “An excellent notion, my dear.” He quickly turned to his father. “As I’ve told you before, Father, Abigail is quite adept at this particular undertaking. She’s better at it than either of us, as a matter of fact. You go ahead with the girls and Abigail will help me.”

The earl’s expression lightened, and he turned to Abigail. “Are you quite sure you want to stay behind, my dear? You’ve done a great deal of work toward today’s activities and I hate for you to miss them.”

“Actually, my lord, I can’t take very much of the credit. Catherine and the twins have done far more than I. Please go with them. I know they would be disappointed if you stayed behind.”

The earl smiled. “In that case, I’ll allow myself to be persuaded.” He turned to his stepdaughters. “Come along girls. We have a full day ahead of us.”

Five minutes later, Abigail and Derek stood on the front steps watching the cart and one of the coaches rolling down the drive.

Derek blew his breath out in a sigh. “Thank you for your offer to help, my dear. I know Father was looking forward to today. If you’re ready, we might as well head to the library and begin our work.”

As they made their way back into the house, Derek motioned for the footman. “Her ladyship and I are going to be occupied in the library most of the day, James. If we should happen to have any callers, offer our apologies and tell them we can’t be disturbed.”

“You can count on me, milord,” James replied.

“I know I can. And in the meantime, ask Cook to send in a tray with more coffee and pastries. No doubt we’ll need sustenance as the day progresses.”

By mid-morning, they’d decoded almost all of the ciphers. Fortunately, none was of great significance. Some had apparently been misdirected at some point because the actions to which they referred had either never taken place or had taken place at some point in the past.

“At least I don’t feel as though I need to ride back to London tonight in order to deliver our decoded missives,” Derek commented to Abigail as she handed the next to last one to him. “The French must be getting sloppy. These last ciphers are quite lacking in sophistication.”

“True,” Abigail said. “I wonder—“

A knock on the door interrupted her. She paused and looked around when James stepped into the room.

“There’s a gentleman asking to see you, milord,” James announced.

Derek sighed. “I thought you weren’t going to disturb us.”

“I would not have done so under ordinary circumstances, milord, but this gentleman appears to be in very bad physical condition, and he says he’s traveled many miles just to see you. He gave his name as Aaron Levenger.”